Wilmington, OH – A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday for portions of Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana as conditions continue to favor the development of dangerous thunderstorms.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 506 includes 20 counties in Ohio, 12 counties in Kentucky, and four counties in Indiana. A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail. It does not mean severe weather is already occurring.
The watch covers major population centers including Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Newark, Lancaster, Chillicothe, Wilmington, Hamilton, Xenia, Florence, Covington, Newport, Maysville, Lawrenceburg, Batesville, and Rising Sun.
Ohio counties under the watch include Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Warren. In Kentucky, the watch includes Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Owen, Pendleton, and Robertson counties. Indiana counties include Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland.
Forecasters say storms developing through the evening could produce damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, large hail, frequent lightning, and torrential rainfall, which may lead to hazardous travel and isolated power outages.
Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware, monitor local forecasts, and ensure they have multiple ways to receive warnings. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, move indoors immediately and remain away from windows until the storm passes.
